SA Waterbulletin April 1988

Abstract

WA•TERFRQNT WATERFR0NT Meeting on Artificial Wetlands The capacity of Artificial Wetlands as purification systems and nutrient sinks, is well documented and extensively practised both in Europe and in the United States. The potential to systematically enhance waste-water treatment efficiency through the creation of controlled Artificial Wetlands, has been gaining increasing attention in South-Africa. The establishment of a national Co-ordinating Committee on Artificial Wetlands (CCARWET) by the CSIR and the construction of trial units at such places as Mphophomeni, for the Umgeni Waterboard, are proof of a general interest in the concept. These systems offer low cost, low technology, robust, localised, yet efficient waste-water treatment with a minimum of supervision and maintenance. Acting as a subsurface biological filter, reed beds are planted in an enclosure which contains a medium such as gravel or ash suitable for anchoring the plants.

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